Pretext

In the Mahābhārata, within the sixth canto (Bhīṣma Parva), on the tenth day of the war, Bhīṣma, the commander-in-chief, falls in battle. Following this event, Sañjaya comes to Dhr̥tarāṣṭra to convey the news of Bhīṣma’s fall. After grieving over Bhīṣma’s downfall, Dhr̥tarāṣṭra overcomes his sorrow and instructs Sañjaya to narrate all the events of the battle in detail. This is where the Bhagavad Gītā begins.

dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca
dharmakṣetre Kurukṣetre samavetā yuyutsavaḥ ।
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva kim akurvata sañjaya ॥ 1 ॥
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सव: ।
मामका: पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥ १ ॥

Traslation (As It Is)

Dhr̥tarāṣṭra said (Dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca): In the sacred field of Dharma (Dharmakṣetra) at Kurukṣetra (Kurukṣetra), those who have gathered with the intent to fight (Samavetā yuyutsavaḥ), my sons (Māmakāḥ) and the sons of Pāṇḍu (Pāṇḍavāḥ), what actions did they undertake, O Sañjaya (Kim akurvata Sañjaya)?

Meaning

O Sañjaya! In the sacred land of Dharma, Kurukṣetra, what did my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu, who had assembled with the desire to fight, do?

Commentry

Dhr̥tarāṣṭra was aware that the Pāṇḍavas generally acted in adherence to dharma (righteousness). However, he questions how they could engage in an apparently adharma (unrighteous act) such as killing their own kin (Bhīṣma). This concern forms the basis of his query. The doubt revolves around how such adharma could occur in Kurukṣetra, the very birthplace of dharma. This question expresses astonishment and curiosity.

The Pāṇḍavas had a smaller army, while Duryodhana’s forces were massive and included many valiant warriors. Despite this, Bhīṣma fell in the battle—either due to negligence on the part of his allies or because the Pāṇḍavas, by force, caused his downfall. This leaves Dhr̥tarāṣṭra reflecting on whether his sons indulged in adharma or dharma, as they were prone to unrighteous acts. On the other hand, the Pāṇḍavas, known for adhering to dharma, seem to have acted contrary to their principles by engaging in the act of killing their revered elder.

Since the Pāṇḍavas’ adherence to dharma entailed gaining the kingdom only after the death of the opposition, their actions are puzzling. Consequently, Dhr̥tarāṣṭra poses this question to Sañjaya, who, having been blessed by Vyāsa with divine insight, was omniscient. Thus, he asks:

O Sañjaya! In Kurukṣetra, the land of dharma, what did my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu, assembled with the intent to fight, do?

Furthermore, in the context of Baladeva’s pilgrimage, Śrī Bhāgavata (10.78.3) is referenced in Śrī Subodhinī, drawing parallels to this verse.